Modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise: NNSA Increased Its Budget Estimates, but Estimates for Key Stockpile and Infrastructure Programs Need Improvement
Abstract
Nuclear weapons continue to be an essential part of the nations defense strategy. The end of the cold war resulted in a shift from producing new nuclear weapons to maintaining the stockpile through refurbishment. Also, billions of dollars in scheduled maintenance for nuclear weapons infrastructure has been deferred. The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review identified long-term stockpile modernization goals for NNSA that include (1) sustaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal and (2) investing in a modern infrastructure. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 included a provision for GAO to report annually on NNSAs nuclear security budget materials. This report (1) identifies changes in estimates to the 2015budget materials from the prior years materials, and (2) assesses the extent to which NNSAs 2015 budget estimates align with plans for major modernization efforts, and (3)addresses the agencys stated goal of stopping the growth of its deferred maintenance backlog. GAO analyzed NNSAs 2014 and 2015 nuclear security budget materials, which describe modernization plans and budget estimates for the next 25 years, and interviewed NNSA officials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1170402
Entities
People
- David C. Trimble
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office